Three teams go head-to-head . . . to head. First team to reach the round win limit wins.

MWIII

Intel Card — Cutthroat

Cutthroat

// MULTIPLAYER: MODES // CUTTHROAT

Slow is safe: Especially for newer players, Cutthroat can feel like being thrown into a whirlwind of enemies. In this round-based mode, you have an advantage when you play the game slow and focus on your position. You never know what’s ahead, but being prepared pays off when the fight begins.

Play with your team: Cutthroat is a high-intensity Multiplayer mode that requires a great deal of teamwork. Naturally, you start each round outnumbered, so playing the game as a lone wolf only furthers the odds. Stick together and make a plan.

Play dirty: The name of the game is Cutthroat. Set up Claymores, Proximity Mines, anything that can take down your enemy without putting yourself in too much danger. Whether it gives you information on the enemy location or takes one out in the process, this will always be advantageous to your team.

Mode Details

Team Size: 1–3 Players

Mission Parameters: Engage in vicious 3v3v3 combat, where the last team standing or the team that captures the overtime flag wins the round.

Each round lasts for one minute before going into Overtime, in which the overtime flag becomes available for capture in the final seconds of the round. Stand by the overtime flag to fill its “Capture Meter.” Capturing the overtime flag always results in a round win.

If the overtime flag is not captured, the team with the most combined health wins the round. Teams can also win the round by eliminating the other two squads.

Operators will go into a downed state when eliminated, offering teammates the chance to revive them if they can get to them in time and complete the revive action.

Match Win Conditions: In Public Matches, the first team to win the required number of rounds — three, usually — wins the match.

Main XP Gains:

Eliminating enemies.
Reviving teammates.
Capturing the overtime flag.

Key Terms and Definitions

Contested: An overtime flag with members of both teams on it becomes contested, preventing either team from winning the round until one team controls it again.

XvX (e.g., 1v2): A quick way of conveying how many players are alive in the round. In Cutthroat, you can see the total remaining players of each squad indicated by the player icons under the minimap.

Topline Tactics: A winning Cutthroat player:

Eliminates enemies and revives teammates.
Keeps a close eye on the round timer and overtime flag.

Recruit Tactics

Outnumbered: Due to the nature of Cutthroat, it’s important to remember that you’re outnumbered at the start of the round. Play it slow and stick with your team. There’s nothing more ineffective than ignoring your teammates and playing right into the numbers game for the other two squads. Stick with your allies when learning the ropes in this new mode.

The best defense is a good defense: In most game modes throughout Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® III, being aggressive and having a forward attitude toward your opponent is generally a good idea. However, in Cutthroat, early aggression can lead to an early loss for your team.

If your team engages early and quickly, you may win the fight or even only lose one member of your team in the process of eliminating another squad. Then, with all the commotion of that fight, the third team will be right around the corner ready to take you down. Play it slow and always try to stay on the advantaged side of each fight.

Protect the flag: A lot of your games in Cutthroat will result in at least one player (or sometimes all three teams) playing so slow that there isn’t a single elimination. When this happens, get into a strong position near the overtime flag so you can capture it in time when the round ends.

Advanced Tactics

Bait of any kind: Whether it’s the overtime flag or a downed Operator, anything that might catch the enemy’s attention is worth using as bait. Look for sightlines to those targets from less well-traveled areas and eliminate opponents as they approach. If you use a downed teammate as bait, use caution: They won’t be too pleased if they get eliminated in the process, unless the decision leads to a round victory.

Fire the first shot: In a 3v3v3 situation, it often makes sense to wait for the other two teams to begin engaging in a fight so that you can hop in while they’re distracted. You might also consider going on the offensive early on; though you’ll attract attention, it gives your squad the opportunity to set the initiative and force the other teams onto their back foot.

Get them after you: The temptation to chase down a sighted enemy no matter what is strong, so use that against your enemies. If you get into a situation where your Loadout is weaker than your target’s, try backing off and regrouping with your teammates. If someone on the third team doesn’t cut them down en route to your position first, you and your allies will be ready for them.

Trap the flag: Try planting a C4 near the overtime flag early in the round. As the only objective point on the map, it tends to draw a lot of attention even before it activates after the first minute of play. If you get the opportunity, set the trap; there’s a good chance that it’ll come in handy later on. Mean? Yes. But this is Cutthroat, after all.

Set up the ambush: Instead of waiting for the enemy to move into your crosshairs, let the other two teams start the fight and then pounce. Have a Launcher ready or work with your team to take advantage of your enemies’ distracted state.

The enemy of my enemy: When encountering the other squads engaged in a fight, consider taking the side of the weaker squad, as that’s who you’ll be competing against next. Be aggressive and attack them before they can regroup from the previous battle.

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